BBC Learning English
Words in the News
Autism

30th January 2012

Words in the News

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2012

Page 1 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

Doctors say they may soon be able to diagnose autism at a much earlier age. A study on

104 children, published in the journal Current Biology, has identified differences in the

brainwaves of babies that are as young as six months. However, the test is not yet

accurate enough to be used routinely. The BBC's James Gallagher reports:

It is thought that one in every hundred children is born with autism. The first signs are

behavioural problems between the first and second birthdays, but scientists think they

may be able to spot the disorder even sooner.

Older children with autism can show a lack of eye contact. So researchers showed six-

to-ten month-old babies images of faces looking either towards or away from the baby

while brain activity was being recorded.

In those that did not go on to develop autism there was a large difference in the

brainwaves when looking at each image. However, infants who did develop autism

showed little difference in brain activity.

Doctors say they hope that if they can diagnose the condition earlier, they'll be able to

begin specialist education and training programmes sooner and alleviate some of the

symptoms.

Words in the News

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2012

Page 2 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

Vocabulary and definitions

autism

the mental condition in which a person is unable to
communicate or form relationships with others

behavioural problems

issues relating to how someone functions in certain
situations

to spot

to identify

disorder

illness or condition

eye contact

looking directly into another's eyes

brainwaves

electrical signals in the brain

diagnose

work out

condition

illness or medical problem

alleviate

make less severe

symptoms

signs that show you are not healthy

More on this story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16769495

Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2

012/01/120130_witn_autism.shtml